With GP3 starting this weekend, I look ahead at the drivers and teams competing in this years championship and what there chances are. However; if the first round has taught me anything about my GP2 predictions, it's that, I don't always get things right.
Barcelona is usually quite hard on tyres. This will be even more important as the first race will be extended and there will be more emphasis on tyre management.
Carlin
They are the defending champions, but with the quality that ART have brought in, as well as the lack of pre-season pace, it might be hard to keep up, especially in the early season. However; they have brought a good line up that should bring the necassary talent.
1. Antonio Fuoco -- Prediction - 4th
The Italian was one the first to be signed for the new season having get a contract at the end of last year, but the car may be his biggest obsticle, while former rivals, Ocon and Gilbert will join him from EuroF3. I expect him to be fighting, but his pace may be inconsistant and wins will be vital.
2. Jann Mardenborough -- Prediction - 5th
An impressive debut season in GP3 saw him become a strong competitor and finish 9th with one victory. Like a few of his rivals, he'll be hoping to improve on his resuts and become more competitive, even if his future does seem to be in endurance racing. Not bad for a kid starting on Playstation.
3. Mitchell Gilbert -- Prediction - Midfield
His season wasn't all that impressive last year, however; he was a consistant performer within his own team, he deserves to improve, but whether this will actually help him is up to fate. Gilbert should be aiming for podiums and points but shouldn't expect too much, especially against class team mates.
ART Grand Prix
They managed to be the only teams champions for 4 years, however they lost out last season. I feel they've got a much stronger chance this year with two highly competitive drivers. They've definetly know how to perform but whether they can prevent team rivalry will be the biggest factor.
4. Alfonso Celis, Jr. -- Prediction - Lower Midfield
While he might have the title of team leader, I would be surprised if he was. Celis, Jr. will also commit himself to FR3.5 this year, so it may be hard for him to focus on GP3. As a result his reuslts may continue to struggle, despite the good team.
5. Marvin Kichhofer -- Prediction - 1st
Him and Stoneman were the only drivers close to Lynn at the end of 2014 and the young German has already won the ADAC Formel Masters and German F3 title. A path for F1 seems to be opening up, like it is for Vandoorne in GP2. His biggest concern may be his team mate and his tendancy to be a little inconsistant.
6. Esteban Ocon -- Prediction - 2nd
Fresh off beating Verstappen and winning EuroF3, the
Status Grand Prix
Status used to have a history of one good season, one poor season. They look likely to put that to bed after a good pre season performance, while it might be hard to win the team championship, they will hoping not to go backwards after such a competitive 2014.
7. Seb Morris -- Prediction - 6th
He has either won or been very competitive in virtually every championship. This will be a chance for him to keep that record up. He has strong long run pace and was impressive in Abu Dhabi at the end of last year. He will need to prove himself now that he's no longer part of the Caterham Youth Team.
8. Alex Fontana -- Prediction - Upper Midfield
One of GP3's longest serving drivers. He's competed in GP3 in 2011-2014 and was an early favourite last year. However; he struggles to perform when it matters, which may be a problem in the current grid.
9. Sandy Stuvik -- Prediction - Midfield
While he did have an impressive year in EuroFormula, the pre-season performance has been unconsistant. He remains a promosing talent, but may need to return in order to win the championship. However; the Thai people will be imperitive as time goes on.
Koiranen GP
A revolutionary year for the young team will hoped to be followed up by another one. Stoneman, proved to be very comfortable in the car, proving that they just need the right driver. But with pre-season performance, they seem to stuck in an upper midfield rut.
10. Adderly Fong -- Prediction - Lower Midfield
In 2 years, the Asian driver has scored 2 points. This hasn't been an amazing record and one he'll be hoping to put right. However; after the F1 test and the Lotus signing, will he be in a good position to build on a solid foundation?
11. Jimmy Eriksson -- Prediction - 9th
At one point last year, Eriksson was under 10 points behind Lynn, but a poor end of season has not helped. He did show good pace during the pre-season tests, but it may be another season where he struggles to keep up. However; if there is one thing Eriksson does right, it's surprises.
12. Matt Parry -- Prediction - Midfield
He achieved success with FR2.0 NEC in 2013, but a poor 2014 has meant he'll be hoping to get back on track in his career. He may not be a championship contendor, but will be hoping to prove himself in order to continue his performance after a promosing pre-season.
Arden International
Evans and Kvyat may have been champions within the team, but a decrease in form last season, in GP3 and GP2, doesn't look like it will improve in the short term, despite this, they've put support behind experienced drivers as they look to bounce back to the top.
14. Kevin Ceccon -- Prediction - Upper Midfield
Ceccon is a driver with experience, but has struggled to find a home in GP2 or GP3, as a result he'll know that consistancy will be the most important thing. Like Kirchhofer, he had a good end to last season, scoring in the points regularly. But with new talent coming through. How will he fair.
15. Emil Bernstorff -- Prediction - 3rd
You wouldn't know he was a rookie last year. While he was overshadowed by team mate Lynn. A win and a 5th place was quietly not noticed. Like Evans in GP2, he is the quiet championship contendor. Emil will be on for good results and he could easily take the fight into his own hands. He's consistant, but can he win.
16. Aleksander Bosak -- Prediction - Near the Back
His pre-season pace showed little promise. Struggling to keep up with most of the midfield will mean that he could become the perenial back row dirver. But promise in the final test, suggests there might be more to come.
Jenzer Motorsport
They decided to focus heavily in Swiss Motorsport and will likely promote themselves as "team Switzerland" after also venturing into different motorsports. While there realistic aim has to be points. Only a few podiums should be expected and a win is unlikely.
20. Pal Varhaug -- Prediction - Midfield
Varhaug will go down in GP3 folk lore for being their first victor, but the success ended there. He scored no more points throughout 2010 and had an unsuccessful GP2 career. He hoped to "restart" his career last year and struggled for pace. It's likely that his on-off pace will remain.
21. Matheo Tuscher -- Prediction - 8th
Tuscher was GP3's youngest driver last year and at 18 y/o will only improve. He performed exeptionally in F2 and is expected to improve this year. He showed promosing pace pre-season and should aim for a few more podiums. However; this success will only come true if he has a car that can perform.
22. Ralph Boschung -- Prediction - Upper Midfield
After a mediocre performance in Formel Masters, I didn't rate the driver. However; his impressive pre-season pace has been in line with his team mates and other front-runners. Could it be a case of a driver only getting the result in a car he likes.
Campos Racing
This will be there first year in GP3 as the team expands after their return to GP2 and other racing. The failed Formula One bid may have been a burden, but if there's one thing to learn from last year in GP2, it's that they are competitive. This could be a promosing gamble for the drivers.
23. Zaid Ashkanani -- Prediction - Near the Back
Unlike the other drivers, he hasn't worked his way through the European background. However; he did achieve great success in the middle east. He has struggled during pre-season testing, it will take some time to get used to the new cars.
24. Alex Palou -- Prediction - 7th
If there's one man who shocked me during the pre-season, it's Palou. I didn't expect him to even beat Stuvik (his old championship rival) but, instead, set the quickest times and turned many heads, while this could be put down to his knowledge of the Spanish tracks, could this also show a rise of an unlikely star, is 7th too low him?
25. Samin Gomez -- Prediction - Near the Back
Campos decided to leave her signing to the last minute but she did get plenty of time in the pre-season tests, even if she struggled to perform.
Trident
The Italian team will want to forget 2014, but improvements in GP2 could pay off. They've shown good pace in testing and this could be their year to shine. But only time will tell.
26. Artur Janosz -- Prediction - Near the Back
Another driver who struggled in testing. He might need to step up performance if he expects to keep his seat. He'll probably aim for consistant finishes and small points in the first few races.
27. Luca Ghiotto -- Prediction - 10th
He wasn't able to show his true pace last year, but did give the team an unexpected pole. While this might not happen again, the points are up for grabs. He will be hoping his season in FR3.5 will have helped his chances.
28. Oscar Tunjo -- Prediction - Lower Midfield
Another driver coming from FR3.5, his performance hasn't had excessive success in his career. But will be hoping to create a name for himself against his team mates. Some points, may be on the cards.
No teams will fill the space left by Manor as the cars will change to the new design next year and the FIA do not feel it necassary for a team to invest for 3 cars for 1 year.
Good Luck to All
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